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Definition of hornbill

hornbill

/ˈhɔːrnˌbɪl/
horn · bill
Plural:hornbills
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hornbill Lexical Profile

hornbill Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Any of numerous tropical and subtropical birds of the family Bucerotidae, native primarily to the forests and savannas of Africa and Asia, characterized by a large, deeply curved bill that is often surmounted by a prominent bony hollow casque.

Example

"During our trek through the Malaysian rainforest, we heard the loud, resonant call of a rhinoceros hornbill echoing through the canopy."

• Rhymes for hornbill

• Nearby Words

horn shark
horn viper
hornbeam
hornbill
horned desert viper
horned lizard
horned puff adder

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in English in the late 17th century by combining 'horn' and 'bill', directly describing the prominent, horn-like casque located on the upper beak of most species in this bird family.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Hornbill. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/hornbill
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